Which cartridge works?

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Mark

Mark

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I'm getting ready to build a couple of cartridge pens.

My question is:

Until I get good enough to fully design my own, which caliber is the easiest/closest to match up to a slimline kit?

30-06 Springfield?
or
308 Winchester?

Thanks for your input. I greatly appreciate it.
 
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Mark,

First of all, good luck with the pen. They are fun to make. Now, you've thanked us for any input so I will offer some. I hope you take the input in the same spirit it is given. So, here goes. Why not just take calipers and start measuring the diameters and find the answer to your question? If you don't have the shell cases to measure there is a ton of info online that gives the dimensions you need. Next, the library has several articles about cartridge pens and most of them offer info on which sizes of shell cases work with slimline kits. I could answer your question but you will have more fun seeking out your answer. I wish you luck and again, I hope this is received with the same spirit in which it is given.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
PS: There are a couple of shell case pens on my website at http://www.RedRiverPens.com/articles

Mark said:
I'm getting ready to build a couple of cartridge pens.

My question is:

Until I get good enough to fully design my own, which caliber is the easiest/closest to match up to a slimline kit?

30-06 Springfield?
or
308 Winchester?

Thanks for your input. I greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
 
Mark,

In my opinion, the 308 makes a more balanced pen than the 30-06. The 30-06 cartridge is longer than the 308 making the lower barrel feel too long. I like to use a Euro top for the finial end. I think it makes a great looking pen.

As was stated earlier, do some measurements and make sure you don't push the transmission in too far for the 308. That is the only drawback.

Good luck and make sure you post some pics of the final product!!
 
I'm not looking for someone to do my foot work. I just don't have the experience to totally design one from scratch. In a couple of weeks who knows. Today. NOT.

I've read every tut. in the library. Hours and hours of reading. If you were to read each and everyone, you would find that the info conflicts with each other many times over. Hence the reason I asked the question. Those that have built the cartridge from scratch, may find any caliber useful. However, I don't have that skill set as of yet.

Don, I read your article on your site, as well as most of the others you have posted.

I have a ton of 30-06 shells available. Just need to pick them up and clean them up.
I will start with the 308 win. and work from there.

THx again to all who posted. I will be sure and flaunt (post pix) of my project as it moves forward...
 
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Mark said:
Darn it. I knew I couldn't be so lucky.

I've got all the 30-06 shells I could ever use. 308 I don't have.

Well, off to Cabela's.
Click to expand...

Mark,

If you want a couple, I would me more than happy to send you a couple. PM me your address. I can't send them until Monday though.

Let me know. I would be more than happy to give you a few.
 
PTownSubbie said:
Mark,

If you want a couple, I would me more than happy to send you a couple. PM me your address. I can't send them until Monday though.

Let me know. I would be more than happy to give you a few.
Click to expand...

Fred, Thanks ever so much. I sincerely appreciate the offer. I just ordered a bag of 100 from Cabelas. (I had some points to use up)

Thanks again.:):):)
 
Mark,

The choice between 308Win and 30-06Spg largely depends on what you are going to use for the nib.

If you are going to use a slimline kit nib, then the 308Win is easier. The shellcase is about the same length as a slimline tube, and everything fits just like a normal slimline. With 30-06, you'd have to use a longer tube (such as a euro lower tube).

If you are going to use a real (drilled-out) bullet, then 30-06 is typically easier. With an appropriate bullet seated at the right depth, the slimline tube fits nicely in a 30-06Spg case. The transmission seats a little deeper than a regular slimline pen, but it still works fine. If you seat a bullet in a 308Win case to factory dimensions, you wind up with a lower barrel that is not long enough to get a good grip on the transmission. Some people seat the bullet extra long to make up for that, but I think that makes an unnatural looking cartridge. Instead, I make 308Win pens with a tube that sticks out of the case head about 3/16". The upper tube then needs to be recessed by a corresponding amount.

I hope that helps,
Eric
 
Sylvanite said:
Mark,

The choice between 308Win and 30-06Spg largely depends on what you are going to use for the nib.

If you are going to use a slimline kit nib, then the 308Win is easier. The shellcase is about the same length as a slimline tube, and everything fits just like a normal slimline. With 30-06, you'd have to use a longer tube (such as a euro lower tube).

If you are going to use a real (drilled-out) bullet, then 30-06 is typically easier. With an appropriate bullet seated at the right depth, the slimline tube fits nicely in a 30-06Spg case. The transmission seats a little deeper than a regular slimline pen, but it still works fine. If you seat a bullet in a 308Win case to factory dimensions, you wind up with a lower barrel that is not long enough to get a good grip on the transmission. Some people seat the bullet extra long to make up for that, but I think that makes an unnatural looking cartridge. Instead, I make 308Win pens with a tube that sticks out of the case head about 3/16". The upper tube then needs to be recessed by a corresponding amount.

I hope that helps,
Eric
Click to expand...

Thank you Eric. It does. I plan on messing around with the cartridge more and more. There are so many "alterations" possible with today's kits. There is an endless supply of ideas flying around this forum. I just want to continue working toward making a unique pen. Someday maybe a kitless pen, but that is a long ways off... That is why I need to stay with what people know works and go from there..

Thx again one and all. I'll post my meager successes as they happen.:)
 
Mark said:
Which caliber is the easiest/closest to match up to a slimline kit?
30-06 Springfield?
or
308 Winchester?
Click to expand...

As a match for the slimline, 308 bottoms down. Matching the euro, 30.06. This is my preference. IMHO, the 30.06 was a little harder till I matched the tube length and trans fit. Now I prefer them hands down.

And I use 150 gr. .03 cal boattail. Melt the lead, drill and reform the tip.
 
Tim, thx for the bullet info. I have a small box of 308 Winchesters (somewhere), from back when my Dad had his rifle. I remember they are jacketed, but there isn't very much copper there (it's basically a thin shell of copper). I believe they were whats called a soft point. Plus if I melt the lead off, the tip of the bullet is all lead for about 3/16" back from the tip. I don't think these are going to work. When I get to that point, I will look for the 150 gr. boattail's. Thx again...
 
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Finally got all the part together (except the bullets). The 30.06 on the bottom and the .308 on top worked great.

Once I get the bullets for the nib and find a better solution for a clip, the only (stock) piece will be the transmission. I know I can get them in bulk from several different vendors here on the IAP. Thanks for all your help so far...
 

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Nice job (except for the nib, hope you replace it with a real bullet when you get them). I find the cartridge pens a lot of fun to play around with and a nice diversion from making the regular pens. There are a great many variations to work with. I'd like to get a powder-coater one of these day and play with coating them.
 
If I am going traditional then I prefer the 30-06 because it is a bit longer and to me the extra length makes the lower part of the pen more comfortable.

As you can see by the casing contest...anything is possible using any type of ammo and with all different experience levels. This year proves that more than last year, being that the rules are a bit different this time. I think these guys could make pens from the gravel in my driveway!:eek:
 
This is all excellent information, exactly what I've come to expect on the IAP.

I haven't been making the cartridge long, but have found a few things that work well for me. I do 30-30, .308, 30.06 and 300WSM. I had originally bought some pre-made cartridges and had some come apart (probably my doings). But because of this I solder the 7mm tube into the casing. Also I like the copper bullets as they look nore authentic than the kit nibs. I buy full copper (no lead) 140 gr 30 caliper-.308 and they work with all four casings I use. I haven't had any issues with the bullet crimp so I don't solder those yet. Most of my buyers want the caliper that they hunt with.

I've had some hunters bring their casings and a piece of antler to make them a pen. This looks like it will work well enough that we're going to add that to our website, And will offer laser engraving as well (which I'll send out to Wood-n-Whimsies).
 
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